ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Pending International Launches Garner Attention

[xaueious]

The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101 is starting to pick up attention, particular with its UK pre-order launch, and also its pending US launch. With minimal hardware and software differences between available Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablets, the price becomes an increasingly important factor for consumers. The shipment dates associated with the Taiwanese pre-orders appear to target the end of April at this time, so it may be some time before shipments begin internationally.

ASUS is launching internationally in stages, with April launches coming for United States, Germany, France, Italy, Singapore, and Hong Kong. France will receive a launch sometime in May along with other markets.

In the UK, Slashgear has reported the following pricing scheme for the pre-order, along with their hands-on:
£379 for the 16GB version, £429 for the 32GB version. The optional battery life boosting keyboard dock – bumps the 16GB model to £429 (£50 just for the dock, probably). The Xoom is £499 for the 32GB version, for comparison sake.

Engadget picked up on a preview page from BestBuy that was subsequently pulled, for $400USD. With the Taiwanese launch price of around the equivalent of $525USD for the base model, we would think this pricing is a little optimistic, but we all can hope can't we?

Sources
Engadget, also for BestBuy screenshot
Slashgear

 

[HTC Fan]

Awesome price. In Europe the laptop was bundled for 50 euros more...so maybe 80-100 more for the laptop in the US. $500 for a good tablet with laptop dock? Seems like a sick price